- The historic Belgian Grand Prix will move to a biennial basis in 2027
- The move makes way for some new locations to join the calendar
- At least four new locations are vying to make it onto the F1 calendar
The past season of Formula 1 already saw a record 24 races held, but there’s pressure to hold races in several new locations, which means some existing races may have to make space.
One solution is to run races on a biennial basis, which the promoters of the Belgian Grand Prix, held at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit, have agreed to do.
F1 organizers announced on Wednesday that the Belgian race will run on a biennial basis starting in 2027. The latest contract extension, which was just signed, runs through 2031 and includes races in 2025, 2026, 2027, 2029, and 2031.
The organizers haven’t said what races will alternate with the Belgian race in 2028 and 2030, though at least four new locations are vying to make it onto the F1 calendar at some point. These include Argentina, Rwanda, Thailand, and a second race in Saudi Arabia.
Spa-Francorchamps, home of the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix
The Belgian race was part of F1’s inaugural calendar in 1950 and is a favorite for both drivers and fans. Its 4.35-mile Spa circuit features a long, unrelenting track that serves as a stern test for car and driver, where average speeds are close to 145 mph and drivers experience up to 5 g in some corners.
The news of the Belgian race’s new schedule comes just a month after F1 announced that the Dutch Grand Prix will be dropped from the calendar after 2026. The decision was made by the race promoter after failing to reach a contract extension deal with F1 organizers.
Though yet to be confirmed, races at Italy’s Imola and Spain’s Circuit de Catalunya could also move to a biennial basis or be dropped in the years to come. Italy already has the separate Italian Grand Prix at Monza, and the Spanish Grand Prix, which is traditionally held at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, will be run on a street circuit in Madrid starting from 2026.